Berkeley Parents Network: Longfellow Middle School (Berkeley, CA)

Berkeley Parents Network

Longfellow Middle School (Berkeley, CA)

Berkeley Parents Network > Reviews > K-12 Schools > Berkeley Public Schools > Longfellow Middle School (Berkeley, CA)

http://longfellow.berkeley.k12.ca.us/

Dec 2011

I believe Longfellow is the Berkeley middle school where the continuing Spanish immersion kids go, but I could be wrong. In Contra Costa, Portola is the feeder for our Spanish immersion kids but their program is in its infancy, just started this year. anon

Spanish immersion continues at Longfellow Middle School. You will need to fill out a new Middle School application and preference form, like you did when your child entered Kindergarten. Choose Longfellow's Spanish Immersion when you fill that out. Berkeley mom of 3

Longfellow Middle School continues the Spanish immersion program through 8th grade. My son is a 7th grader and he loves it at Longfellow. He is challenged academically and has made great friends through the sports teams. My 5th grade daughter will start there next year. Longfellow is a dynamic caring place. The teachers and administration are responsive and talented. The parent community is involved. I highly recommend that you check it out. Cherene, Longfellow PTA President

There is a BUSD Middle School continuation of the Dual Immersion Program at Longfellow Middle School. We are currently in our 9th year and have successfully continued the bilingual development of Berkeley Unified Students from all three TWI elementary schools and the Thousand Oaks Bilingual Program. Our program runs from 6th through 8th grade, and then we help place our graduates in advanced Spanish classes at Berkeley High School. You are welcome to visit Longfellow and the Dual Immersion classrooms anytime. Longfellow Teacher Mary Patterson

From what I understand, kids/families who want to continue in TWI through middle school all attend Longfellow Elementary. All 3 TWI elementary programs feed into Longfellow, which has a TWI track alongside their regular program. Our oldest is only in 3rd grade (in a TWI class), but from what I hear, Longfellow is supposed to have a great program. TWI Mom

longfellow middle school has a well-respected dual emersion spanish-english program, although some students there are in the english only program. If you know some families with older kids in the dual emersion program, you should speak with those families about their middle school choice. The longfellow community is small and close and supportive with good teachers. The campus is safe with a big yard and a great auditorium. Sports, music and other programs are offered. They probably have an open house coming up at some point that you can check out. My student did not go,through that program, but has friends who did and those kids are great. Another BUSD parent

Longfellow....... A Good School?

April 2011

My son just have been accepted in Longfellow middle school. I do not know if I should be happy or not. I have heard good and bad things about it. I would really apreciated any information if your kid goes to this school. Thank you. -G

We had a kid at Longfellow from 2007-2009 and we loved it. I was amazed at how the teachers, counselors, and staff consistently went above and beyond our expectations. We had a kid with a lot of issues and chose Longfellow because of its smaller size and we never regretted it. I felt like I really knew the community there and they really knew us and worked with us as a family. I could not have imagined teachers so committed to the success of their students. Loved Longfellow

Longfellow vs. Willard

Feb 2011

My daughter has her heart set on Longfellow, after taking a tour and feeling how calm the school is... I liked the rigorous counseling program that's in place, along with the high level of academics being taught, and focus on the arts. However, we have a 6th grade friend (high-achieving, well-behaved girl, like my daughter) who is experiencing some bullying. Is your child at Longfellow? Do they feel safe and able to ''be themselves''? Please share...I like Willard too, but my daughter really wants to attend Longfellow. Want to make the right choice...

My son is like your daughter and he has not experienced bullying however a friend (same profile) of his has. When the parents found out they talked with the teacher/counselor and they beefed up the "Be an Ally" talk and now the victim has more tools to use AND the bullying stopped. So the school is proactive and will help each student get what they need. Longfellow is using "restorative justice" in some situations (they want to expand) to help the "victim" and the "bully" learn how to live in a multicultural, cooperative community. We are happy with our choice and we will be sending our daughter there in 2 years. Happy Longfellow Family

I'm not sure about Longfellow vs. Willard; but I can speak to the Longfellow vs. King question. My child had a hard time socially at King, particularly in 6th grade; while her friends who went to Longfellow had an easier time forming cohesive friendship groups. Most of her current friends are friends who went to Longfellow, though things are much more socially open at BHS. Academically, I would probably choose King again, but the social ''scene'' was very rough for a smart, shy, self-conscious child (lots of teasing about being ''smart''; though I wonder if other kids were teased about other differences). What is unclear to me is how much of this is middle school (friends with children in the private schools have spoken of similar problems), how much of this was the specific school, and how much of it was the child (who is thriving in high school). anon

My son is a sixth grader at Longfellow and he loves it. He had been chronically bullied at his former (private) elementary school, so when he told me about a kid trying to bully/intimidate him at Longfellow, it was stressful.

In elementary school, the bullying increased after we asked for help; we got no support from staff and the bully was free to continue. At Longfellow, Principal Pat Saddler dealt with it quickly and effectively. Within a day my son was no longer bullied and that's the last we heard of it.

Longfellow's teachers are the best we've ever experienced. They're devoted to helping the kids learn, and the kids know it. Kudos to all of them! Grateful Mama

Our 7th grader is attending Longfellow. We lived in Oakland and she attended private schools (K-5) exclusively. The transition to a public middle was smooth. Although she didn't know anyone at the school, she has thrived and made friends. She is involved in the 0 period music program and softball. We chose the school based on its size, emphasis on music, arts and science, afterschool program (EDP) and the amazing counseling department. Parent of a Thriving 7th grader

(Editor) a review was also received for Willard

August 2010

Hi, We are considering relocating to Berkeley for the schools, and I am trying to learn more about Longfellow.

Can anyone tell me what they know about this school? We value diversity, the arts and good solid teaching tailored to the children above mere standardized test scores (although I know this differs from the State's approach to public schools).

Also, does anyone know anything about how to get into this school? I am asking because I understand you can elect this school if you don't like the middle school in your zone, and I want to be sure that is correct.

Thank you!

We are very pleased with Longfellow Middle School. Our son will be an 8th grader in the Fall and has had outstanding teachers so far. Longfellow is a magnet school, meaning that you must choose the school rather than just being assigned to your zone school. i understand there is a lottery, as the school is small, especially compared to King. The principal is great. The counseling staff is fabulous. The studentbody is very diverse and there are wonderful opportunities for the arts, especially in the afterschool program. I highly recommend Longfellow Middle School! Check out http://www.berkeley.net/index.php?page=longfellow Feel free to contact me if you would like to talk more. B

Feb 2010

Re: Moving to Berkeley Summer 2010 - middle schools?
... any child can attend Longfellow and Longfellow's test scores are equal to slightly better than King, it has the smallest achievement gap of any of the middle schools, it has an enriched counselor program (last year 18 interns for 420 students!!), a fantastic after school program, Jazz Band, Orchestra, Dance, and a great principal (whose son graduated from there last year so she really believes in her school). Both my sons graduated from Longfellow and are/were honor students at BHS. Don't let the campus mislead you, Longfellow has great teaching going on inside. a Longfellow parent alumni

I just want to echo the recommendation of Longfellow for a middle school choice. My kid went to Longfellow and was not an easy kid--lots of issues. But I have to say that the teachers and counselors regularly went above and beyond the call of duty with him. I don't have experience with the other middle schools but can say that I was not disappointed at all with Longfellow. I just can't say enough about the quality of the staff there. Another Longfellow Alum Parent

March 2009

Re: Which middle school for my sons?
We are guardians of a troubled boy that came to live with us as he was entering the 6th grade a couple of years ago. Based on the recommendation of friends and because we knew one of the teachers there, we had him attend Longfellow. I have never regretted it. Each year, he has had at least a couple of teachers who have gone above and beyond their duties as teachers to support him. They are really for him and work hard to help him succeed. The counseling team and administration there have also been a great support for him. We appreciate the smaller size of the school and feel like he is known there and not lost in the crowd. Our kid has certainly found teachers that he struggles with, but there have always been at least a couple who really go out of their way to connect with him. I highly recommend Longfellow. appreciative parent

Nov 2008

Re: The low-down on King & Willard Middle Schools
Are you considering Longfellow? It's half the size of King, now has the best overall test scores for any BUSD middle school, has consistently had the highest scores for Black and Latino students, has the best after school program (70% of students participate) including jazz and steel drum bands, art, theatre, dance, and sports (and of course tutoring), has a very strong Spanish language department (is the dual immersion middle school for BUSD), and has a great principal: Pat Saddler, and many amazing teachers (the staff gets a standing ovation during Back to School Night every year). Since the school is close to BHS, top 8th grade math students can easily attend BHS for Honors Geometry and students can take an honors option for any core class. The school values academic achievement (for example, honors- 3.0-3.49 GPA and high honors- 3.5 and above, and straight A students are publicly recognized every quarter as well as those with perfect attendance). And, since its the magnet middle school, any child in Berkeley can apply. Both of my children have/are attended/ing Longfellow and got a great education, teachers who care (still ask about my ''child'' that is now in college), and had wonderful enrichment activities. anonymous

Feb 2005

Longfellow vs. King
I am trying to find out something about the relative strengths of the middle schools Longfellow and King. I'd really welcome some thoughts from parents who know these schools. Janice

I am looking for feedback on Willard and Longfellow Middle Schools from parents of kids who are recent graduates or are there now. My son will be in the 5th grade next fall at a local Berkeley elementary school and we are in the Willard zone, so we would be assigned to Willard no doubt when he moves on to Sixth grade. I am very concerned that he will have all kinds of problems there, and would like some info and perhaps a reality check to see if my worst fears are justified. First, my son has ADD, does not have good study habits and gets easily overwhelmed in large classroom settings. I worry that a school like Willard, combined with the fact that he is becoming a teenager, will simply be too much. Second, we live a block from Willard and during the day I see all kinds of goings-on by students, including trashing neighborhood yards, skipping classes to hang out at the local Andronicos where the kids run around until they get thrown out by store personnel, and kids piling on other kids as they try to walk home from school. Is this activity representative of Willard school? How good are the teachers, mathematics and science programs, and afterschool programs, compared to Longfellow or the local private middle schools? Is Longgfellow just as bad? I wish I could send him to King, which I've heard much positive feedback about, but we are in the wrong zone. Anxious mom

My daughter is a 6th grader at Longfellow and it is working out quite well. She could have gone to King (or private for that matter) but chose Longfellow because it is the smallest of the middle schools (but not so small as some of the private schools) and she was in the bilingual program in elementary school and was able to continue it at Longfellow.

I was concerned about Longfellow until I went to an open house and checked out classes while school was in session. I was impressed with what I saw. There is a good principal and teaching staff and everyone knows each other. I think they keep an eye on all the kids and that the cohesion is good. If you want to talk, feel free to email me. Amy

I have a son in 7th grade at Longfellow and he has had a very good experience there. It is the smallest of the three schools, which was important to us and his needs. He is an excellent student, has had good teachers who have gone out of their way to make the curriculum challenging for him. The Principal and Vice principal are very experienced, show lots of leadership, work closely with parents, and make a point to get to know each and every child. Wonderful art, music, dance and theater programs, excellent Advanced math program. Very diverse student population with an emphasis on having a strong school community. Kids in general, as much as middle schoolers do, look out for each other. Firm but fair discipline policies,staff keep parents in the loop. Mary

My son graduated from Longfellow and is now an honor roll freshman at Berkeley High. Longfellow's strengths? Strong principal and generally strong teaching staff, wonderful advanced math and arts program, rich after school program, and the small size means that everyone knows everyone and there is alot of opportunitiy to shine (sports, music, dance, etc.). In my opinion, these strengths more than compensate for the limited campus facilities (great theatre, dance studio, and computer lab - but no track, pool, not much open space). Yes, the neighborhood isn't the greatest, but the campus is very secure - student safety is a real priority. The kids run the gamut - but involvement in any of the enrichment activities - sports, arts, computers - really makes a difference, the involved kids provide a good peer group and participation in these programs is actually valued among the students/its not considered ''geeky'' - especially the sports and arts programs. Karen H.

Parent Reviews of Longfellow

February 2003

Re: Middle Schools with a strong math/science department
Longfellow Middle School in Berkeley is an Arts and Technology Magnet School. As at MLK, 7th graders can also take Honors Algebra (or can wait and take Honors Algebra in 8th grade). There are some great math teachers at the school (and Science). In addition,the school has a strong computer program (but has experienced some recent cuts due to the BUSD budget crisis). My 7th grader is programming and will start learning machine code next week. Karen H.

January 2003

My daughter is now in 8th grade at Longfellow. The administration was quite sloppy under the previous principal, but the new one, Rebecca Cheung, so far seems organized and intelligent. I don't think Longfellow always challenges my kid enough in the academic sense, and the recent cuts in electives--this is supposed to be an arts and technology magnet school!--have been disheartening. However, Margaret has managed to come through the inevitable teasing and social stress successfully, and acquired a great (racially mixed) group of friends, which I suppose says something both for her and the social atmosphere around school.

There are some very good teachers at Longfellow. Of the ones I know, Cortez Robinson is wonderful for the student who's worried about math; last year he helped turn Margaret around from a C to an A, and her self-confidence soared as a result. Some other fine, dedicated teachers: Joan Brannigan for 7th grade English and history; Andrea Lee, who teaches P.E. and dance and has been a good role model of female strength and grace; Ms. Little, an 8th grade math teacher; Suzy Loper, a fabulous science teacher; and Jessie Luxford, 8th grade English and history. Doubtless there are others.

The after-school program (EDP) is run by Tina Lewis, an excellent administrator. Along with the arts and sports classes, the library, which is well stocked and a pleasant place to work and read, hosts a drop-in homework center most afternoons until 6 p.m.

Physically speaking, the newly restored main building and the building that houses the library, science labs, offices, and gym are pretty nice, but the so- called ''annexe'' is quite depressing, as is the cafeteria. (Some things don't change...)

Just as in elementary school, I recommend keeping an eye on your kid's work and attitude. Get every teacher's phone number and/or e-mail at back-to-school night and stay in touch; ask questions, make suggestions, nag politely, just like you do with your kid. This really pays off in middle school; your child may not always like it, but better she knows you take education seriously and are willing to put yourself out for hers: good behavior to model, so she'll learn to stand up for herself and work for what she wants. Melanie

November 2002

Re: middle school music programs
My son is a 7th grader at Longfellow. As a 6th grader, he was in 6th grade band that met 2/week and also had Music Theory/Chorus that met once a week (both during the school day). After school, he was able to join the Jazz Band during the second semester which met 2/week after school. As a 7th grader, he is in 7th/8th Concert Band that meets 5/week during zero period (8-8:45am.). After school, he is in Jazz Band again 2/week and joined Steel Drum Band 2/week after school. Ms. Davis, the Music Director is fantastic and the Jazz Band instructors are wonderful (for example, staying after class on their own time to work with kids that need help learning some of the new pieces). The Steel Drum Band is a real favorite at school and is surprisingly good. Longfellow also has other great art programs. My son is taking Art and Technology (drawing the first semester and 2nd semester computer-applications such as Adobe Illustrator) 5/week as an elective and after school takes Comic Strip Design and Theater (also offered: Stage Craft: set design, sound engineering, etc. African Dance, Hip Hop, and 3-D Art). Some of these programs are grant funded and the school so far has avoided the worst cuts (but lost Advanced Band this year and some of the very advanced computer courses). In general, we are very pleased with Longfellow, are happy with our new principal and vice principal (but still miss our former vice-principal now at BHS), have had great teachers (there are a few not so great teachers as in any school, including private, but so far we've had the luck of the draw). I AM concerned about funding in future years but Longfellow has been a great experience so far - and LOVE the small size. Karen

May 2002

My son wants to attend Longfellows Middle School next fall. We've visited the campus and sat in on several classes (sixth grade). Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the teacher of your choice? Vicki

Reply to parent wanting advice re Longfellow Middle School teacher selection: My son went to Longfellow for 6th grade a couple of years ago. We had visited to check out the 6th grade teachers, and then wrote a letter to the principal requesting particular teachers. They did assign him to the teachers he wanted, though I don't know if that was due to our letter or just luck of the draw. It certainly didn't hurt to write the letter. Diane

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